Elucidating the specific mechanisms of the gut-brain axis: the short-chain fatty acids-microglia pathway
Abstract In recent years, the gut microbiota has been increasingly recognized for its influence on various central nervous system diseases mediated by microglia, yet the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. As key metabolites of the gut microbiota, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) have emerged as a...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Journal of Neuroinflammation |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12974-025-03454-y |
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| author | Qingyu Cao Mengmeng Shen Ruoqiu Li Yan Liu Zhen Zeng Jidong Zhou Dejun Niu Quancai Zhang Rongrong Wang Jingchun Yao Guimin Zhang |
| author_facet | Qingyu Cao Mengmeng Shen Ruoqiu Li Yan Liu Zhen Zeng Jidong Zhou Dejun Niu Quancai Zhang Rongrong Wang Jingchun Yao Guimin Zhang |
| author_sort | Qingyu Cao |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract In recent years, the gut microbiota has been increasingly recognized for its influence on various central nervous system diseases mediated by microglia, yet the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. As key metabolites of the gut microbiota, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) have emerged as a focal point in understanding microglia-related interactions. In this review, we further refine the connection between the gut microbiota and microglia by introducing the concept of the “SCFAs-microglia” pathway. We summarize current knowledge on this pathway, recent discoveries regarding its role in neurological diseases, and potential pharmacological strategies targeting it. Finally, we outlined the current challenges and limitations in this field of research. We hope this review provides new insights into the role of the gut microbiota in neuroimmune regulation. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ebccd90194c445a1b0e3f560c7a3a97d |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1742-2094 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Neuroinflammation |
| spelling | doaj-art-ebccd90194c445a1b0e3f560c7a3a97d2025-08-20T03:48:15ZengBMCJournal of Neuroinflammation1742-20942025-05-0122112310.1186/s12974-025-03454-yElucidating the specific mechanisms of the gut-brain axis: the short-chain fatty acids-microglia pathwayQingyu Cao0Mengmeng Shen1Ruoqiu Li2Yan Liu3Zhen Zeng4Jidong Zhou5Dejun Niu6Quancai Zhang7Rongrong Wang8Jingchun Yao9Guimin Zhang10College of Pharmacy, Yanbian UniversityState Key Laboratory of Integration and Innovation of Classic Formula and Modern Chinese Medicine, Lunan Pharmaceutical Group Co. LtdKey Laboratory of Marine Drugs, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of ChinaSchool of Pharmacy, Qingdao UniversityState Key Laboratory of Integration and Innovation of Classic Formula and Modern Chinese Medicine, Lunan Pharmaceutical Group Co. LtdState Key Laboratory of Integration and Innovation of Classic Formula and Modern Chinese Medicine, Lunan Pharmaceutical Group Co. LtdState Key Laboratory of Integration and Innovation of Classic Formula and Modern Chinese Medicine, Lunan Pharmaceutical Group Co. LtdState Key Laboratory of Integration and Innovation of Classic Formula and Modern Chinese Medicine, Lunan Pharmaceutical Group Co. LtdKey Laboratory of Marine Drugs, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of ChinaState Key Laboratory of Integration and Innovation of Classic Formula and Modern Chinese Medicine, Lunan Pharmaceutical Group Co. LtdCollege of Pharmacy, Yanbian UniversityAbstract In recent years, the gut microbiota has been increasingly recognized for its influence on various central nervous system diseases mediated by microglia, yet the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. As key metabolites of the gut microbiota, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) have emerged as a focal point in understanding microglia-related interactions. In this review, we further refine the connection between the gut microbiota and microglia by introducing the concept of the “SCFAs-microglia” pathway. We summarize current knowledge on this pathway, recent discoveries regarding its role in neurological diseases, and potential pharmacological strategies targeting it. Finally, we outlined the current challenges and limitations in this field of research. We hope this review provides new insights into the role of the gut microbiota in neuroimmune regulation.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12974-025-03454-yGut microbiotaShort-Chain fatty acidsMicrogliaNeurological diseases |
| spellingShingle | Qingyu Cao Mengmeng Shen Ruoqiu Li Yan Liu Zhen Zeng Jidong Zhou Dejun Niu Quancai Zhang Rongrong Wang Jingchun Yao Guimin Zhang Elucidating the specific mechanisms of the gut-brain axis: the short-chain fatty acids-microglia pathway Journal of Neuroinflammation Gut microbiota Short-Chain fatty acids Microglia Neurological diseases |
| title | Elucidating the specific mechanisms of the gut-brain axis: the short-chain fatty acids-microglia pathway |
| title_full | Elucidating the specific mechanisms of the gut-brain axis: the short-chain fatty acids-microglia pathway |
| title_fullStr | Elucidating the specific mechanisms of the gut-brain axis: the short-chain fatty acids-microglia pathway |
| title_full_unstemmed | Elucidating the specific mechanisms of the gut-brain axis: the short-chain fatty acids-microglia pathway |
| title_short | Elucidating the specific mechanisms of the gut-brain axis: the short-chain fatty acids-microglia pathway |
| title_sort | elucidating the specific mechanisms of the gut brain axis the short chain fatty acids microglia pathway |
| topic | Gut microbiota Short-Chain fatty acids Microglia Neurological diseases |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12974-025-03454-y |
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